Study Concludes South Dakota Sobriety Program Works

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - An independent study of South Dakota's sobriety program for drunken drivers concludes it has reduced repeat DUI cases by 12 percent and domestic violence rates by 9 percent.

The 24/7 Sobriety Program was started in 2005, giving people convicted of alcohol-related crimes a chance to stay out of jail as long as they are monitored daily for alcohol use.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says the study done by the RAND Corp. was funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He says he hopes the results will open the door to funding for future highway safety projects.